East London Science Schoolhttp://www.eastlondonscienceschool.co.uk
To stand on the shoulders of giantsTue, 18 Dec 2018 13:28:43 +0000en-GBhourly1https://wordpress.org/?v=4.9.8http://www.eastlondonscienceschool.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/cropped-Artboard-1-1-e1497796165721-32x32.pngEast London Science Schoolhttp://www.eastlondonscienceschool.co.uk
3232The unexamined life is not worth livinghttp://www.eastlondonscienceschool.co.uk/the-unexamined-life-is-not-worth-living/
Tue, 18 Dec 2018 13:28:43 +0000http://www.eastlondonscienceschool.co.uk/?p=7587

Early December 2018, ELSS Vice Principal, Mr Taylor took a group of pupils to the University of Winchester as part of our Great Books programme. Pupils attended two specially-designed seminars on the trial of Socrates in Plato’s Apology. This was a text that the pupils had been reading over the term with Mr Taylor. The seminars were led by Liberal Arts undergraduate students, who went through key sections of the text to open up discussion about some of its most intriguing, challenging and abiding ideas.

We are take very seriously our work with young teachers and have helped kickstart the careers of many trainees (PGCE and NQT) equiping them with valuable experience. As our Principal Mr Perks explained in an interview with the Wharf newspaper“I’m proud of the fact we create teachers, really good ones. If a teacher comes here and works with us for two years they’re a completely different person afterwards and they can go anywhere and teach.”

George Hawkins (pictured above with fellow student teacher, Alexandra Cook) is one number of students currently working with us. George is a PGCE student from King’s College London and here he explains what drew him to teaching and his passion for his subject Classics and Latin.

I began my studies in the ancient world during my A-levels, where I took Classical studies at AS and A level. I enjoyed it so much I continued my studies at university, where I began my studies in Latin before taking up a masters and studying Ancient Greek.

As someone who found learning about ancient culture and languages a life changing experience, I am delighted to see students as young as aged 11 being given the opportunity to learn all about ancient Greek and Roman culture as well as being offered the opportunity to study both Latin and Ancient Greek.

Until the 1960s the study of Classics had underpinned the entire UK education system, and it is an absolute delight to see an East London academy school offering the sort of classical education which is usually reserved for students attending private schools.

Students find the subject engaging; it offers not only an opportunity to develop the high-end analytical skills required for working with ancient languages, but also a window through which to learn about the vibrant literature, myths, institutions, and philosophical ideas which have underpinned the entirety of the development of Western culture.

Neil McPherson joined ELSS in November as our new Lead in Music. Mr McPherson has a track record of raising Music Department profiles, as well as achieving impressive examination results at all key stages.

“On stepping through the doors of ELSS for the first time” he says, “it was clear that here was a school where I could have a big impact very quickly. I’m keen to transmit my limitless passion and commitment for the universal language of music as a whole entity. It should be both stimulating and inspiring for the next generation of learners.”

As a classically trained pianist and violinist, Mr McPherson opted to continue his further education at the traditionally-styled University of Edinburgh, “a slightly controversial choice for a proud Glaswegian.” he jokes. “Teaching is in my blood, I always wanted to become a teacher because I enjoy making a real difference to the lives of young people, motivating them to believe in themselves and be the very best they can be. Teaching, though a complete vocation, is just so rewarding and gives me a sense that I am taking an active role in making the world a better place, one student at a time, playing my part in moulding them from acorns into oak trees. Music will always be my principle passion, so to work in a profession where I impart this passion across to future generations will remain a real privilege, offering students the opportunity to experience a musical journey that will live with them forever.”

Mr McPherson looks forward to lifting music off the ground here at ELSS. Under his leadership, there will be more students than ever before at ELSS learning musical instruments in a meaningful way, with regular graded examinations being sat. Performance opportunities to celebrate success will be a plenty, for both individuals and groups, the power of the human voice (a free gift we all possess) will be exhibited (especially those at KS3) and greater links will be constructed out-with ELSS. Music will play a more significant role academically too, all the way up to KS5.

In his free time, Mr McPherson enjoys the buzz of seeing almost any live music, theatre and museum visits, hill walking, geocaching, relaxing to the operas of Richard Wagner and marvelling at the aesthetic beauty of classic motorcars, which he would dearly love to build a healthy collection of, should he ever find that elusive pot of gold at the end of a rainbow!

]]>“Oxford is a place I have dreamed of…”http://www.eastlondonscienceschool.co.uk/oxford/
Mon, 10 Dec 2018 11:57:32 +0000http://www.eastlondonscienceschool.co.uk/?p=7449

A group of Year 9 pupils were in Oxford this week on a visit which took in one of the country’s most advanced science research institutes. Oxford University Material Sciences Department is at the cutting edge of research, helping to bring science and industry together, and pupils were treated to a full tour by one of the research students based at the institute. One aspect of their work is important research into creating smaller, more efficient batteries for use in industry and everyday life. The introduction was followed by a session in the University laboratories where our pupils tried their hands at making batteries for themselves.

When pupils’ lab work was completed they went for lunch at one of Oxford’s most prestigious institutions, Wadham College. Lunch was followed by a tour of the college and Q&A with undergraduate students where our pupils had to opportunity to learn about life and work there and what it takes to get into Oxford and study the sciences. It was a very successful day – our effort to raise our pupils’ expectations and see that there is a world of possibilities if they take themselves seriously, work hard and doors will open.

Head of Physics, Miss Patel said “I’m glad I got the chance to take our pupils to Oxford’s materials sciences department so they could see where the sciences, in particular physics, could take them. It gave pupils a chance to get a sense of what university life was really like because they got to ask questions and talk to real students there. I think they all came back inspired!”

Indeed they did. According to Oscar James “It was a great inspiration and showed me a place that I would like to be in the future” and Nicole Zieleniecka said of the visit “Oxford is often a place I have dreamt of but I saw it can be a reality.”

We are thrilled to welcome Rafael Mr D’Aversa to East London Science School team, who joined at the start of the summer term as a teacher of Ethics, Religion and A-level Philosophy.

Mr Dr D’Aversa comes with an impressive pedigree.

He was recently awarded a PhD in Philosophy by the University of York, where he wrote a thesis on the logical and semantic foundations of evaluative language. He also holds a B.A and a M.A in the same discipline. Prior to coming to London, he worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at the University of York, where he taught seminars on Logic, Ethics and Metaphysics. He also taught Philosophy in universities in Brazil before moving to the UK.

In his teaching, Dr D’Aversa says of his teaching that “my first approach is in helping students to attain and develop valuable analytical skills, such as the ability to assess and reconstruct arguments for and against the claims under discussion. Second, to guide them through the texts of some of the main philosophers in history (such as Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Kant and Russell).”

In his spare time, Dr D’Aversa enjoys playing classical guitar and enlarging his repertoire, which ranges from the Baroque period to the 21st century.

Congratulations to Year 9 pupils who successfully completed the Bronze stage of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Pupils were presented with their certificates by Principal Mr Perks at Kingsley Hall last week. ELSS is the only school in the whole of East London with a dedicated DoE Co-ordinator, Mr Ross, (pictured below, left) and we wish to thank him for his hard work and dedication.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a voluntary, non-competitive programme of activities for anyone aged 14-24. Doing their Award gives young people the opportunity to experience new activities or develop existing skills.

Mr Ross says “The students that completed their Bronze Award learnt valuable lessons in life by giving back to the community with their volunteering section, built up stamina and resilience doing their Physical section and learnt new and exciting Skills in their Skills Section. The level of maturity and self confidence from these students in completion of their expedition assessment was apparent from the way they tackled everything that was thrown at them from team work and communication to problem solving, cooking and working as part of a team. I believe that this programme has boosted the confidence of these students and will enable them to progress in a positive manner through education and life. These students have now progressed onto the Silver Award and are looking forward to the challenge.”

]]>Early closure Thursday 29th Novemberhttp://www.eastlondonscienceschool.co.uk/early-close/
Mon, 19 Nov 2018 15:33:18 +0000http://www.eastlondonscienceschool.co.uk/?p=7463Please be aware that school will close at 4pm on Thursday 29th November to allow us to prepare for Year 9 Parents Evening.

Thursday 8th November 5 – 8pm

We warmly welcome pupils and parents to our Open Evening at our brand new Sixth Form centre.

We are accepting applications now for entry into the Sixth Form in September 2019. Applications can be made online via our website or you can come along to the Open Evening and be guided through the application process in person.

We have a unique curriculum offer aimed at pupils considering taking the sciences further into Higher Education. We also offer a range of complimentary A-level courses for those who wish to keep their options open.

East London Science School and GB Hockey are developing a very ‘special relationship’ it seems. And we are very happy about that. Shortly before the summer break, we went along to a GB Women’s training session and got to meet players, including Captain Alex Danson. This week we were invited guests at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre for Great Britain Men’s international match against Belgium – an anniversary match to mark our Hockey Gold Medal at the Seoul Olympics in 1988.

ELSS and pupils from other schools from the area, cheered our Great Britain onto victory against Belgium, and then Year 8 pupils Evie and George were called down from the stands to do the post-match interview with players.

Evie Dooley told the Newham Recorder. “I really like hockey and so when I interviewed the players I asked them how they practice before a match and what they what other sports they were interested. They told me that they both wanted to be footballers before they discovered hockey.”

George Kingham “I really enjoyed the match and the interviews afterwards. I asked Harry and Martin who I interviewed, what foods they were not allowed to eat. They said pizza and chips because they had to stay fit and healthy.”

We are extremely grateful to everyone at Great Britain Hockey for their generosity with our pupils, and of course for these great photos the photographs (photographer Garry Bowden).

Last week the school proud to welcome a very well known guest, when Dame Mary Archer, took time out from her role as and Chair of the Board of Trustees at the Science Museum to present an inspiring lecture to pupils about her life and career in science. Dame Mary, a prominent public figure for many years, talked about her education at Oxford and Imperial College London – where she studied Physical Chemistry – and how she went on to persue a successful career as a scientist, researcher and university lecturer.

Dame Mary’s lecture was warmly received by the school’s aspiring young scientists, who grasped the opportunity to quiz her about her work-life experiences, and of course, her scientific expertise – energy and solar power conversion. Pupils asked her about the potential benefits of both nuclear and renewable energy as well as the ways in which carbon dioxide affects our atmosphere.

Please read on for a full report back from Year 9 pupils Beatrice Banyte and Bradley Stafford.

Dame Mary Archer

By Bradley Stafford and Beatrice Banyte

On Tuesday, 25th, September, 2018, ELSS year 9 students, had an amazing opportunity to listen to a lecture, which was set up by speakers for schools, by Dame Mary Archer. A renowned scientist that has a great background in science.

She went to an all girl’s boarding school, which had a lot of science around her and inspired her to take science further. She took A-Levels in Math, Physics, Chemistry and further Math. She took a 4 year course in chemistry at St Anne’s college in 1962-1966, and then took a PHD in chemistry at the imperial college, where she got her first class degree. She went on to do her Postdoctoral work, which lasted 4 years, and by the end of the 4 years she got her lectureship in chemistry.

She lectured in the department of physical chemistry at the imperial college for 10 years. Whilst she was working at the imperial college, she was living in the Old Vicarage, Grantchester, a house heavily associated with Rupert Brooke, a famous war poet from World War 1, who once lived in the house. When she stepped down from her job as lecturer at the Imperial College she joined the NHS at Cambridge University Hospital Group, were she worked as the chairman. As chairman, she was able to found the Cambridge Global Health Partnership, which helped people worldwide.

After 10 years of working for the NHS, she retired her job to join the National science museum group, where she became the chairman. In the National science museum, there are a total of 5 different museum (the science museum, the locomotive museum, the national railway museum, the natural history museum and the science and media museum), 7.2 million objects and archives, 5.4 million yearly visitors, 600,000 yearly school visits and over 1000 staff members. Some examples of famous objects stored in the science museum, are Tim Peake’s astronaut costume and his shuttle and the Becky Colombo test model.

At ELSS, students regularly go on trips to the science museum through our enrichment curriculum, where students can further their learning through amazing educational trips every week. As well as this, students get the chance to go on enrichment fortnight, where they go to places outside of London as well as inside of London, for 2 weeks. As well as these amazing trips, students get to listen to famous speakers at the beginning and end of the year. They also get to go on brilliant events, such as New Scientists Live (20th- 24th of September 2018) and meet scientists and learn more about science in general. As Dame Mary Archer says “a good background in science, is the best preparation in life! this shows that if you put enough work in you can go anywhere and do anything.